Units
Professional Studies
Unit code: QCF260
Contact hours: 4 hours per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit is designed to expand your understanding of creativity and to provide you with experience in using problem solving tools and models in a range of situations. The unit develops skills in working in groups and reflection that are applicable to any field of study or faculty. Undertaking a project provides a practical opportunity for using creative processes and problem solving techniques.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 13TP1 | Yes |
| 2013 13TP2 | Yes |
| 2013 13TP3 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - 13 Week Teaching Period - 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
This unit is designed to provide international students with an understanding of creative thinking and problem solving tools and models. The unit recognises that creative thinking is increasingly recognized as a key success factor in business, industry and education. The unit introduces ways of working in groups that are applicable to any field of study or industry sector. Students will work in a team environment using creative process frameworks to inform the development of a creative product or outcome.
Aims
The aim of this unit is to enable students to develop skills in creative thinking and problem solving as an individual and as part of a group.
Objectives
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
- Recognise and use creative thinking and problem solving tools, models and processes (FG4).
- Practise creative and lateral thinking skills, using appropriate tools (FG4).
- Evaluate and critique your own creative and problem solving processes (FG4).
- Communicate effectively, using written, oral, visual and other modes (FG1).
- Select and apply group problem solving skills and lateral thinking processes to a range of problems to develop a creative outcome (FG5).
Key: Foundation Graduate Capabilities
FGC 1: Effective communication in a variety of contexts and modes
FGC 2: Knowledge pertinent to a range of subject areas
FGC 3: Skills appropriate to a range of subject areas at the level of entry to the degree
FGC 4: Critical, creative and analytical thinking and effective problem solving for academic and real world contexts
FGC 5: The ability to work independently and collaboratively
FGC 6: Social and ethical responsibility
Content
This unit is organised in four modules. Each module progressively builds and develops creative thinking and problem solving skills individually and within a group structure.
Module 1: Problem based activities Individual and group learning) (Weeks 1-3)
This module will provide tools and processes for dealing with small problems individually and in groups. The module will develop your group contribution, participation and leadership skills. The impact of group dynamics and the development of skills for working in groups will be explored
Module 2: Lateral Thinking Techniques (Weeks 4-7)
This module will further explore a variety of creative thinking tools, models and techniques that are useful in the development of a creative group project. Students will be engaged in problem-based and experiential learning experiences. Students will begin planning and analysis of a creative project for assessment.
Module 3: Group Project Development (Weeks 8-11)
In small groups students will be given a problem/inducted into a scenario. Students will be given a range of parameters and tasks which will be solved creatively. Using skills and techniques learnt in module two, your group will develop a creative outcome to the problem outlined. This is both a creative and practical group project. Success in the project will depend on groups working co-operatively, researching and learning new skills and demonstrating constructive and creative thinking.
Module 4: Group Demonstration and Presentation Skills (Week 12)
Students, in teams, present the result of their group project development. Students may use multimedia applications such as Powerpoint or Flash or a poster presentation to assist in the delivery of their project outcome.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
Workshops, small group discussions, tutorials, individual and group research tasks will be used. The emphasis will be on students' taking an active role in all aspects of the unit, including facilitating learning sessions. Students will review their own and their group's learning processes through a reflective journal and will use computers to develop their skills in keyboard composition.
Active participation and contribution in all sessions is a requirement of this unit. Individuals who do not demonstrate sufficient group participation and contribution may receive a lower grade than their group grade.
Late Assignment Policy
Students will be penalised for the submission of late assignments, refer to the Foundation Course Guide for details.
Review of Grades or Academic Rulings
For rules on how to apply for a review of grade, refer to the Foundation Course Guide.
Consultation
The lecturer will be available for consultation from Week 2. Times will be advised in class and will also be displayed in a schedule at
Reception.
Exam Timetable
The exam timetable will be displayed on the Noticeboard on Level 3 by Week 11.
Assessment
Types of assessment
In this unit students will be assessed through formative and summative assessment. Formative assessment items are used to provide feedback to assist with academic progress, do not count towards final marks and could be done in class. For details about formative assessment, please refer to the Week 1 Document.
Summative assessment items count towards your final grade.
This unit may require students to submit their assessment items through SafeAssign.
Please refer to the Week 1 document for this unit.
Assessment name:
Reflective Essay
Description:
Summative. Max 750 words per week.
Relates to objectives:
1, 4
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 6
Assessment name:
Project
Description:
Part A - Project Plan - due Week 4
Formative
Part B - Project - due Week 11
Summative
Part C - Presentation of Project - due Week 13
Summative
Presentation, Journal and Peer Evaluation
Relates to objectives:
2,3,4,5
Weight:
60%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group with Individual Component
Due date:
Weeks 4, 11, 13
Assessment name:
Case Study & Problem Solving
Description:
Summative. Case Study and Problem Solving Tasks
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 4, 5.
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 9
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
NO SET TEXT, but the following is recommended for deeper understanding
Text
- de Bono, E. 2004. How to have a beautiful mind. London: Random House.
- Buzan, T. 2003. The Mind Map Book. London: The Bath Press.
- Micklus, C.S. and S.W. Micklus. 2000. Creativity and Team Work=Solutions. USA: Creative Competitions, Inc.
Risk assessment statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 14-Mar-2013
